Ujjwala Sanitary Napkins manufacturing units launched in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today launched the ‘Ujjwala Sanitary Napkin’ initiative in Odisha capital, under which Oil Marketing Companies will set up manufacturing units of Ujjwala Sanitary Napkins at the Common Service Centres across the state.

As many as 100 local manufacturing units will be set up at Common Service Centres across all 30 districts, covering 93 blocks in Odisha. The cost of setting up these manufacturing units is Rs 2.94 Crores.

The move is expected to employ, educate and empower women in the state in addition to improving their access to feminine hygiene products. Training would be given to women in manufacturing and sale of sanitary napkins. Each facility will have the capacity to produce 1200-2000 pads each day.

The sanitary pads will be made of virgin wood pulp sheet, non-woven white sheet and a gel sheet which are all biodegradable in nature and will leave minimal carbon footprint. To keep the sanitary napkins affordable, these will be priced at Rs 42 per pack of 8 pads.

Each manufacturing unit will employ 5 to 6 Ujjwala beneficiaries thus providing employment to nearly 600 women across all districts.